Boot tree



June 1931- A. A. GLIDDEN ETAL BOOT TREE Filed Au 22, 1927 Patented June 2, 1931 UNITED STATES ALFRED A. GLIDDEN AND THOMAS M. KNOWLAND, OIF WATERTOWN, ANID HERBERT L. DAVIS, OF WALPOLE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO HOOD RUBBER COMPANY, INC., OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE BOOT TREE Application filed August 22, 1927.

sembled and upon which said assembled parts may remain while being subjected to the molding and curing operation, the tree with the boot under construction thereon being inserted within a mold and co-operating therewith to shape the boot.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid means under pressure, preferably heated, for expanding the tree, together with suitable means for conducting the fluid to and from said tree.

The invention consists in a boot tree as set forth in the following specification and particularly as pointed out in the claim thereof.

The figure of the drawing represents a central longitudinal section through a boot tree and through the means for conducting the pressure fluid into and out of said tree, the hollow body member of the boot tree being broken away to save space in the drawing.

In the drawing, body member comprising a leg portion 2, foot portion 3 and closed end portion 4. The hollow body member 1 may be constructed of any suitable expansible waterproof material, as, for example, vulcanized rubber, and is of suflicient rigidity to enable the boot to be built thereon.

Located in the closed end portion 4 of the body member 1 is a flanged sleeve 5, said sleeve being externally threaded to receive a nut 6 by means of which said sleeve is tightly clamped to the material comprising the tree. The outer end of the sleeve 5 is detachably connected by means of a union 7 with a Y branch pipe fitting 8; a nipple 9 being interposed between said pipe fitting and the union.

The pipe fitting 8 has bushings 10 and 11 detachably secured therein, and an inlet pipe 12 is mounted in the bushing 10 and 1 represents a hollow Serial N 0. 214,622.

extends inwardly through the pipe fitting 8,

nipple 9, union 7 and sleeve 5, and projects a short distance into the body member 1' of the tree. A flexible tube 13 is detachably secured to the outer end of the inlet pipe 12.

Surrounding the exterior of the inlet pipe 12 is an outlet passage 14, the latter extending through the sleeve 5, union 7 nipple 9 and pipe fitting 8. VA flexible tube 15 is detachably secured to the bushing 11.

The general operation of the device hereinbefore specifically described is as follows :Assuming that the hollow body member 1 of the boot tree is in a normal condition with the air therein at atmospheric pressure, a stocking, preferably knitted material and elastic so that it may stretch, is drawn over the boot tree, this stocking forming in the completed boot a lining therefor. The various parts comprising a rubber boot are then assembled upon said body member. The tree, with the boot parts thereon, is then placed within a mold which is heated, and a fluid is then admitted to the interior of the body member through the tube 13 and inlet pipe 12. The fluid, which is preferably hot water of a temperature of from 250 to 325 Fahrenheit and under a pressure of approximately 250 pounds per square inch, circulates through the interior of the body portion as indicated by the arrows therein and is finally discharged therefrom through the passage 14 and outlet tube 15. After the boot tree has remained within the mold for a suflicient period for the boot to be thoroughly molded and cured, the body member is deflated, the tree is removed from the mold, and the boot with the lining is finally re moved from the body member.

It is evident that heated air may be employed as a pressure fluid, if so desired, and may or may not be circulated.

We claim:

A hollow boot tree comprising a wall comprising rubber and constituting substantially the entire work-receiving portion of the tree, the said wall alone being of such stiffness as to sustain the shape of the tree against the force of the operations of building a boot thereon but of such stretchability as to serve as an expansible core in molding the boot under internal fluid pressure.

In testimony whereof We have hereunto set our hands.

' ALFRED A. GLIDDEN.

THOMAS M. KNOWVLAND. HERBERT L. DAVIS. 

